What?!?! Gambling Causes Problems For Society??

Oklahomans made a colossal mistake when they voted for a statewide lottery a few years ago and an even larger mistake was made when casinos were allowed to operate on tribal land (I know, I know, I sound like a broken record). How long will it be before we decide to reverse this awful public policy? Today, the Oklahoman published an article concerning problem gambling in Oklahoma. Consider this from the article, "We're seeing kids checking out of college because they've lost so much,” Smith said. At a recent informational session at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Smith asked how many knew someone with a gambling problem. In a room of about 140, all but seven raised a hand." And this, "between 1 and 3 percent of any population and 2 to 4 percent of adults have pathological gambling addictions, experts say. That translates into at least 35,000 Oklahomans. Many more are problem gamblers who do not reach the medical definition for pathological." More sobering stories are included in this article. But do our leaders care? Apparently not--so long as they don't have to make tough decisions on funding our government, they'll be happy to see gambling expand in Oklahoma. Why are Oklahoma citizens not more adamant about good governance? As a society we ought to demand from our political leaders policies that will encourage and lift up the whole state--NOT ensnare the vulnerable.

Darfur, China, and the Olympics

Here's hoping that Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics will put pressure on China to finally change its stance regarding the genocide in Darfur. China, a buyer of cheap Sudanese oil has looked the other way as the Sudanese government has thumbed its nose at international pressure to stop the genocide it has perpetuated in the western region of the country known as Darfur. While we shouldn't expect any major changes to occur regarding the genocide, maybe the Hollywood (yes, Hollywood) campaign to tie the '08 Beijing Olympics to Darfur will work to put pressure on the Chinese to finally release their objection to a UN peace keeping force in the region. Foreign Policy blog has more.

Center For A Just Society

I've found what could be a new favorite organization, the Center for a Just Society, where faith, law, and policy meet. It looks to be pretty interesting and informative.

From CJS:

Our mission is to advance and defend Judeo-Christian principles of human dignity and social justice in law, policy and the public square. We seek to improve the quality of life of our nation's citizens through research, education and advocacy aimed at assisting lawmakers, the media and voters in building and sustaining a just society. Our desire is to bring attention and an alternative voice to issues pertaining to social justice. Our efforts to shape public policy and debate can be seen and measured by the Center's research projects, publications, media interviews and educational events

The Gospel and Politics

This quote from Charles Spurgeon from his sermon Christ Lifted Up is good for us to consider at all times, especially during ours, when so many think that it is the government that can bring all that is needed to develop worthy individuals. Wrong! It is the gospel, and ONLY the gospel that will transform a soul and give every person a meaning to live.

The gospel never was unsuccessful yet, when it was preached with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. It is not fine orations upon the death of princes, or the movements of politics which will save souls. If we wish to have sinners saved and to have our churches increased; if we desire the spread of God's kingdom, the only thing whereby we can hope to accomplish the end, is the lifting up of Christ; for, "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

The Tory Leader, Hysteria, and Christianity

Albert Mohler posts on a peculiar row over in Britain. Apparenlty the leader of the Conservative party in Britain, David Cameron, actually goes to church because he believes the stuff, and not simply to by hypocritical. However, this infuriates another Tory, Michael Portillo, who hyperventilates:

It would be good to know from Cameron that for him going to church is just a
metaphor for wanting to be a good man and a good leader, and that he hears no
voices, receives no divine instructions and looks only for the judgment of his
fellow citizens. We could then sleep more easily at night.

Similar sentiments are already expressed in America, but have not gotten mainstream. One wonders how long it will be before national leaders are criticized by other national leaders for their faith.

Read more of Mohler's deconstruction here.

And The Genocide Spreads

As if we needed proof that a genocide in one location shouldn't be left alone to fester...The UN refugee agency is warning that conditions are present in Chad, the neighbor of Darfur for a Rwanda-like genocide. Chad's border region with Sudan has the same ethnic make-up as Darfur. Darfurians have fled into Chad to escape the Sudanese backed janjaweed. The problem is that the janjaweed have followed the refugees into Chad. "There is a hidden force trying to export the conflict between the Sudanese into Chad," said Allami Ahmat, diplomatic advisor to Chadian President Idriss Deby (this is from 2004--it's only gotten worse).

According to the latest BBC article, the Sudanese back janajaweed have undertaken attacks on the estimated 200,000 Darfurian refugees in Chad. Sudan is accusing Chad of supporting the Sudanese rebels. But lest we think this conflict is just spreading to Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR) is also facing raids from the janjaweed, and Chad has pledged troops to help protect CAR.

It is imperative that the United States show resolve to stop the spread of this genocide. While the UN Security Council is expected to discuss sending a peace keepin force to to Chad, this won't happen for some time. While America has its hands full militarily, it must commit the diplomatic resources to end these conflicts. Genocide doesn't occur in a vacuum. As we are watching right before our eyes, conflicts spread and mushroom into other countries. Then these places become either rallying cries for Islamic terrorists or their base of operations (this has already happened with al Qaeda)

In order to prevent more catastrophic loss of lives and further instability in Africa, the West, spearheaded by America, must act decisively to end the conflict in Darfur.

Campaign Finance Reform

Want to know why we need Campaign Finance Reform in America? Here's one reason:

The chairman of the Federal Election Commission yesterday predicted that 2008 will produce the first $1 billion presidential race and that the $500 million that each party's candidate will need to compete will severely limit the field of contenders.

$1 billion??? So much for the idea of an America by the people, for the people, and of the people.

Read more here.

Support McCain in '08!

The Obama Hysteria

Peggy Noonan has written a smart piece that objectively looks at Barack Obama's presidential aspirations. A snippet:

He is uncompromised by a past, it is true. He is also unburdened by a record, unworn by achievement, unwearied by long labors.

What does he believe? What does he stand for? This is, after all, the central question. When it is pointed out that he has had almost--almost--two years in the U.S. Senate, and before that was an obscure state legislator in Illinois, his supporters compare him to Lincoln. But Lincoln had become a national voice on the great issue of the day, slavery. He rose with a reason. Sen. Obama's rise is not about a stand or an issue or a question; it is about Sen. Obama. People project their hopes on him, he says.

He's exactly right. Just so we all know it's projection.